Sure, you may go to the beer garden for thirst-quenching beer and crazy drunken memories, but trust us – you’ll stay for the food. Between the succulent sausages, mouthwatering meats, and freshly baked pretzels, beer garden food is some of the best in all of Munich.

Depending on the beer garden, the food is served either self-serve or tableside. For a real Bavarian experience, we recommend finding a table (you might have to squeeze next to a stranger/new friend) in the self-service section.

As you shuffle through the food stalls, it might be hard to decide which beer garden food to order. The aroma of roasted pork pulls you in one direction, but the sizzling sound of grilled sausages sends you in another. Your tastebuds simply can’t decide!

But don’t worry. Munich is home to over 200 beer gardens, so you’ll have plenty of chances to taste all the beer garden food your belly can handle! If you’re wondering which beer garden to visit, check out our Ultimate Beer Garden Guide for Munich.

Small dishes

Pretzel (Bretzel)

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You can’t have an authentic beer garden experience without an ice-cold beer and a soft, chewy pretzel. It usually comes in two sizes (medium and giant) and should be dipped in mustard.

Potato Salad (Kartoffelsalat)

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Bavarian potato salad is made with vinegar (compared to the creamy mayo-based potato salads in the north). Served cold, it’s a great side dish to those heavy meat-based dishes you might devour.

Cheese dip (obazda)

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That orange ball you see is actually spreadable soft cheese mixed with onions and chives. It’s delicious when eaten with a piece of bread (brot) or a pretzel.

Sausage salad (wurstsalat)

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This is probably one of the few salads that won’t help with your diet! It’s comprised of boiled sausage slices, vinegar, oil, and onions (and sometimes mayo) and served cold.

Main dishes

Sausage (wurst)

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A true beer garden staple, sausages have found their way onto every beer garden menu. You’ll probably have a variety of sausages to choose from, including red or white bratwurst, Nürnberger rostbratwürste, and käskrainer (sausage with cheese). Currywurst and fries can also be found at some beer gardens.

Käsespätzle

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Käsespätzle is the German version of Mac and Cheese. This vegetarian dish is made with little egg noodles and topped with melted cheese and crispy fried onions. You can’t leave Munich without trying it at least once!

Pork knuckle (Schweinshaxe)

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Guaranteed to give you the meat sweats, the monstrous Schweinshaxe should only be tackled by those with a big appetite. Each knuckle has been roasted to perfection until the meat literally falls off the bone, and the crispy skin adds just the right amount of crunch.

Leberkäse

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Although Leberkäse translates to liver cheese, this pink patty is neither liver nor cheese. It tastes more like a bologna sausage or ham and is served by the slice.

Roasted chicken (hendl)

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You’d be hard-pressed to find a better roasted chicken anywhere in the world. Commonly ordered in half portions (halbe Hendl), these chickens are succulent and juicy enough to make your mouth water just by thinking of them.

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Beer

Helles

This is the classic lager you’ll find most Münchner glugging down in the beer garden. It’s golden, clear, and dangerously easy to drink.

Dunkel

Dark beers are less common nowadays, although many Germans are still devoted to this dark and heavy concoction. It’s not overly hoppy and has a refreshing malted flavor.

Weißbier

Weißbier, or wheat beer, is a top-fermented beverage that can be found in almost every beer garden. It’s quite strong and yeast flavored, which makes it heavier than a traditional lager.

Radler

If you find the German beers too strong or bitter for your taste, you can always order a Radler. It’s half lager and half sparkling lemonade (or Sprite-like soda).


Don’t forget to take a look at our Ultimate Beer Garden Guide for a complete list of our favorite spots as well as tips for surviving your visit.

Is your tummy rumbling yet? What’s your favorite beer garden food in Munich? Tell us below!